For part of The
Sun Also Rises, money does not seem to be much of a factor in the group’s
lives. Other than making it clear that Michael is a debtor, money is not
mentioned much unless the characters are betting on something. Towards the end,
money becomes more a factor. In fact, money is talked about continuously for three
pages in Book 3. Michael, Bill, and Jake are gambling; the loser pays for a
round at the bar. After the third gamble, Michael admits, “I’ve no money”
(233). After Bill and Michael have left, Jake talks about how much he tips and
who he tips. For example, he says, “Next day I tipped every one a little too
much at the hotel to make more friends” (237). He also makes a point of saying
that if you give people money in France, they become your friends; it seems so
strange to me that Jake says that. What does everyone else think of Jake’s
emphasis on money and his belief that without spending money, he can’t make
friends?
I really like your insights here. Money does seem to become more important as the novel progresses and does bring things to a crisis (with Brett). I also wonder if Hemingway is making a comment about how the upper classes (at least the British upper classes) are giving way to people like Jake.
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